China Transforms Abandoned Salt Mines into Massive Energy Storage Hub

Kathmandu. A massive energy project has been established in Tai'an City, Shandong Province, eastern China, giving a new look to the mining area.

This energy center is capable of storing energy for eight hours and generating electricity for four hours. Its annual production capacity is 460 million kilowatt-hours, which can meet the annual electricity needs of more than 200,000 households.

This project is the first commercial 'compressed air energy storage' project operated by China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd. It uses the underground caves of old salt mines as 'energy storage'.

In recent years, China has made significant progress in renewable energy. By 2025, renewable energy sources are expected to account for more than half of the country's total installed power capacity.

By 2030, the city's new energy storage capacity is expected to reach nearly 5 million kilowatts.

In Shanghai, an underwater data center powered by offshore wind energy has also come into operation. It reduces energy loss by coordinating energy production and consumption in the same location.

When operating at full capacity, this project reduces carbon emissions equivalent to what 1.6 million trees absorb annually. China is rapidly expanding renewable energy infrastructure to support the digital economy. Additionally, it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 7–10 percent from peak levels by 2035.

China has also been sharing its technological achievements with the world. At an energy exhibition held in Africa, clean energy solutions from Chinese companies attracted widespread attention.

According to experts, the level and speed of clean energy technology produced by China are so rapid that it can play a significant role in solving problems such as energy shortages and dependence on fossil fuels.